Adelaide United have announced the signing of Westfield Matildas defender Emma Checker ahead of the Westfield W-League 2017/18 season.
Checker will join the Reds on a two-year contract and has formerly played for Adelaide between 2011 and 2013, before enjoying stints at Melbourne Victory and Canberra United.
The 21-year-old, who has three caps for the Westfield Matildas, was most recently with South Korean outfit, Incheon Hyundai Steel Red Angels, in the WK League over the Westfield W-League off-season.
Deployed as a centre-back, South-Australian born Checker has amassed more than 50 Westfield W-League matches and firmly established herself as a dominant defender in the competition.
Checker’s new Head Coach, Ivan Karlović, praised her return, saying: “We know exactly what we’re going to get from Emma this season and next, and we’re thrilled to have her sign with Adelaide United for two seasons.
“Emma has proven herself in the W-League over a number of seasons and by working her way into the Matildas set up it’s obvious that she’s a real talent.
“She’s only 21, but Emma is a mature leader, someone with an amazing work ethic, and another great signing for us this season.”
Speaking on returning home to Adelaide, Checker said: “I am very excited to be returning home to Adelaide United.
“After spending all of my youth years in Adelaide and being given my first W-League opportunity with the Club it will be a really special and proud feeling for me being back where it all began.
“I believe we have the ability to achieve big things this season.
“As a club there have been massive improvements and as a team we will be aiming to be a top four side.
“Adelaide United are yet to make finals in the W-League so that is what I am wanting to achieve with the team this season and with the quality we will have there is no reason we can’t achieve that.
“Personally I am aiming towards having a consistent season and continuing to implement the knowledge I have gained in Korea into my game.
“I have big ambitions on becoming a regular member of the Matildas so that is another main personal goal for me, but it all starts with working hard day in, day out with the Reds.”
